We’ve been working on a couple of fireplace mantles with large wood carvings in the face. These mantles are demo’s we are putting together to show people what we can do. Click on any of the images to see a bigger picture.
The process of creating these mantles starts with choosing the 3D wood carving we
want to present. In the case of these two projects we chose a wildlife scene with deer and a cougar and the second mantle is a ranch scene. Once we chose the themes we wanted, it was time to go to work creating the carvings in our design software. This took a about 2 hours of computer time using Vectric’s Aspire CAM software to get them exactly they way we wanted them to look. The pictures show a progression of this process.
The process of creating the models requires some knowledge of vector design. Everything in Aspire uses vectors to create shapes and objects. For example creating a model of the top of an airplane wing is a matter of having two lines that are the outside shape of the wing and then a third line that represents the foil shape. We can use a process called two rail sweep to apply the curved shape of the
wing inside the outline of the wing. This is illustrated in these two pictures. The picture at left is the vectors drawn out in the wing shape and the smaller curved line reflects what the shape of the wing will look like. The picture at the right is what happens when the software uses the three vectors and combines them into the 3D model. Pretty neat, Huh!
To make the deer mantle scene we first selected the background scenery we wanted to use. Once that was put into our model and scaled to size we choose some deer models that we wanted to put into the background scene. Since I wanted a little drama in the scene (a cougar approaching) I chose deer that were alert with two of them looking in the direction of the approaching cougar. I figured that deer grazing with a cougar approaching was an oxymoron (contradiction). Deer would not be idly grazing if a predator was nearby.
Once we get everything laid out the way we want it, we have the software calculate how the CNC will actually carve the model. This is accomplished by moving a router bit in 3 dimensions; X, Y and Z. X and Y are the length and width of the carving and Z is the depth of the carving. The video below left shows what the CNC machine does when being controlled by the computer to create the 3D carving.
The right video is a screen capture of the computer controlling the CNC machine. The files created to carve this mantle scene was comprised of more then 460,000 individual commands to make the router bit move from one point to another. In the following video you can see the program running through lines of code and the red window to the right shows where the machine is being moved to. It represents that X, Y and Z position of the the tip of the router bit. And yes, if you have high-speed internet, you can watch both videos at the same time.
Anyway, once the machine work is done we end up with a 3D carving that now goes under hand chisels for final detailing. The pictures below are of the carving prior to the finishing process getting under way.
Thank you for taking the time to read this little training post on designing and building a wood mantle with deer scene carved into the mantle face. In the next installment we will cover building the framework of the mantle and finishing the mantle. So check back for the next installment and in the mean time, cruise around our website and take a look at other projects we’ve done.
I try and write something a couple of times per week. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don’t. I’m glad you enjoy them. I will be putting more together on the fireplace mantle construction process and then will be putting together another series on a carved coffee table.
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post.
My web developer came up with the format and layout and I loaded the content. The site runs on WordPress and uses a theme for the layout. A little code development was done to customize it for me and then plugins and widgets were added to enhance and extend its capabilities. I like it also.
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I enjoy writing articles. The only problem is the lack of time to write more then I have. Stay tuned though and I appreciate you visiting my website. Don
Thanks and stayed tuned for the series coming up on a really neat coffee table we did. Photos, video’s and text. It was a fun project to build and document. Don
Thank you for visiting. As I get time I will be putting up a series of articles about making a really neat coffee table. Unfortunately/fortunately, depending how you look at it, fulfilling orders has been keeping me very busy. I’ve got a lot of the coffee table article written, I just need to refine it and get my pictures and videos uploaded and ready to go. Thank again. Don
It was a collaborative effort with my Son and I. My first website was a static page arrangement which made it hard to interact with people. My Son came up with the idea of the blog format and since he was already do some other websites for people using WordPress he suggested it to me along with the theme. He put the infrastructure together and I filled in the content.
I’m glad you found this article interesting. Take a look at our new multi-part article about making a spectacular solid wood carved coffee table. The new series takes you from design to finishing. But I’m keeping the best part for last – a picture of the table. Stay tuned.
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Thank you for taking the time to visit. I have more articles just about ready to post. I just need to make the time to finish them and get them posted. Stay tuned.
It is tough some times to always be adding new content. I will go a couple of weeks between postings. I normally post when I have a new project completed. This is just the nature of my business. When I get the time out of the shop I try and put together some education articles and get those posted. I’m working on a couple of articles when I get time and will be posting them in the near future when I’m done.
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chisels for final detailing. The pictures below are of the carving prior to the finishing process getting under way.
77 Responses 
How often do you write your blogs? I enjoy them a lot
I try and write something a couple of times per week. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don’t. I’m glad you enjoy them. I will be putting more together on the fireplace mantle construction process and then will be putting together another series on a carved coffee table.
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post.
Thank you for your comments. I am working on part 2 of the fireplace mantle project. I hope to have it up in a few days.
Did you create your own blog or did a program do it? Could you please respond? 27
My web developer created the format and I fill in the content with posts I’ve put in place. It is not done by a program but by my hand.
Don
This blog is great. How did you come up witht he idea? 5 4 3
My web developer came up with the format and layout and I loaded the content. The site runs on WordPress and uses a theme for the layout. A little code development was done to customize it for me and then plugins and widgets were added to enhance and extend its capabilities. I like it also.
Blogs Very informative article. I’ve found your blog via Yahoo and I?m really glad about the information you provide in your posts. Thank You for sharing this very informative article… Regards
Thank you for your kind remarks. I’m glad you found the article informative.
Don
I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.
You are most welcome and I appreciate you taking time to visit. Look around at other articles while I work on my next series of how to articles. Don
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I enjoy writing articles. The only problem is the lack of time to write more then I have. Stay tuned though and I appreciate you visiting my website. Don
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Thanks and stayed tuned for the series coming up on a really neat coffee table we did. Photos, video’s and text. It was a fun project to build and document. Don
I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for visiting. As I get time I will be putting up a series of articles about making a really neat coffee table. Unfortunately/fortunately, depending how you look at it, fulfilling orders has been keeping me very busy. I’ve got a lot of the coffee table article written, I just need to refine it and get my pictures and videos uploaded and ready to go. Thank again. Don
This blog is great. How did you come up witht he idea
It was a collaborative effort with my Son and I. My first website was a static page arrangement which made it hard to interact with people. My Son came up with the idea of the blog format and since he was already do some other websites for people using WordPress he suggested it to me along with the theme. He put the infrastructure together and I filled in the content.
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I’m glad you found this article interesting. Take a look at our new multi-part article about making a spectacular solid wood carved coffee table. The new series takes you from design to finishing. But I’m keeping the best part for last – a picture of the table. Stay tuned.
enjoyed this blog!
Glad you enjoyed it. Check back soon for part 2 of my 3D carved coffee table.
I really like your blog and i respect your work. I’ll be a frequent visitor. How can I subscribe to RSS?
Thank you for visiting. You can subscribe to the RSS feed from the front page at the top menu. Click on the RSS button.
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I haven’t got a fp listing yet. I’m thinking about it but having the time to keep it updated is the problem.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the article. It was fun to do the fireplace mantles.
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Thank you for visiting. Please feel free to pass along our website to family and friends.
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Thank you for taking the time to visit. I have more articles just about ready to post. I just need to make the time to finish them and get them posted. Stay tuned.
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Thanks for visiting. Check back again soon.
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Custom fireplace mantles are a very personal detail a homeowner can add during a remodel or new construction.
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Go to the main page and the RSS feed is on the top menu.
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It is tough some times to always be adding new content. I will go a couple of weeks between postings. I normally post when I have a new project completed. This is just the nature of my business. When I get the time out of the shop I try and put together some education articles and get those posted. I’m working on a couple of articles when I get time and will be posting them in the near future when I’m done.
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You can contact us through the contact form on the site. Got to “Contact Us”.
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Thank you! Please pass the link along to co-workers, family and friends.